MANN+HUMMEL to Supply BMW X5 Air Filter
MANN+HUMMEL to Supply BMW X5 Air Filter
LUDWIGSBURG, Germany, Sept. 11 // -- MANN+HUMMEL has designed a dual-flow air filter system for the BMW X5 consisting of dirty air ducts, an air cleaner with trapezoid elements, styling cover and clean air duct for the 4.8 litre V8 gasoline engine. With the 3.0 litre R6 in-line 6-cylinder version, air cleaners with dirty and clean air ducts are supplied. "Our main development objective was to meet the demanding acoustic requirements and at the same time adhere to the maximum permissible pressure loss," explained Dr. Wilfried Lehr, managing director of the Automotive OEM Division. "It was necessary for us to find the right balance between these opposing requirements."
MANN+HUMMEL is further expanding its presence in North America with air filter systems for two engine variants of the BMW X5. The air filter systems for the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) which, combine excellent acoustic performance with low pressure loss, are being produced in South Bend, Indiana, USA. MANN+HUMMEL presents the Styling Air Cleaner at IAA 2007, in Frankfurt, Germany, in Hall 4.1, Stand D19, September 13 - 23.
Low Noise Level
In order to keep the level of noise in the passenger compartment as low as possible, acoustic measures have been introduced which suppress specific frequency ranges and thus improve the acoustics of the engine. With the dual- flow air intake of the V8 unit, resonators have been fitted on every dirty air duct and on the clean air duct. On the R6 engine, a quarter wave duct is integrated on the dirty air side and a twin chamber resonator suppresses noise emissions on the clean side. In spite of extensive simulations however, such solutions can only be tuned in detail on vehicles which are almost ready for series production. "That's why a lot of development investment is required shortly before start of production. Deadlines tend to get tight too," said Dr. Lehr.
For both air cleaners, special connections to the engine block have been developed. These are made of plastic in the V8 and metal in the R6. The fastening systems are delivered directly to BMW in Germany and attached to the engine block there, so assembly of the air cleaners in the USA can be carried out more easily.
Increased Engine Performance
Another special feature of the V8 system is the air flow meter housing which has been specifically developed to fit within the limited space available. The designers have added flow and optimized guide ribs where the two clean air-connecting pieces meet the air flow meter housing and these improve the air flow meter signal. Optimum air mass is thus always conveyed to the engine for combustion, which helps to increase performance.
As central development of the engines was conducted at BMW in Munich, the systems development was carried out at MANN+HUMMEL in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Development and preparation of tools also took place in Germany, with the finished tools then being transferred to the USA. For series production, the MANN+HUMMEL manufacturing plant in South Bend, Indiana, USA, works directly with the BMW factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.
About MANN+HUMMEL
The MANN+HUMMEL Group is an international company. In 2006 the company is expected to achieve a turnover of over 1.5 billion euros. The MANN+HUMMEL Group currently employs over 10,000 people at 41 locations worldwide. The company develops, produces and sells technically complex automotive components such as air filter systems, intake manifold systems, liquid filter systems and cabin filters for the automotive industry, and filter elements for vehicle servicing and repair. For general engineering, process engineering and industrial manufacturing sectors the company's product range includes industrial filters, filter systems, and materials handling systems and equipment. MANN+HUMMEL's customers come from a large number of sectors, with series production for the automotive industry occupying a key position. Further information about MANN+HUMMEL can be found under mann-hummel.com/.
Source: MANN+HUMMEL
CONTACT: U.S., Julie Mayuiers, MANN+HUMMEL USA, Inc., +1-269-329-3903, julie.mayuiers@mann-hummel.com
Web site: http://mann-hummel.com/
